Alleged drunk driver asks Douglas officer for help

If you are driving after your license has been suspended, have been drinking and need directions, it is not a good idea to stop and ask a police officer.

Yet that is what police said Kenneth Charlton, 41, of Manchaug did Wednesday morning on his way to Uxbridge District Court.

Police said Mr. Charlton needed directions to the courthouse, so at 8:50 a.m., he pulled up alongside Officer Mark Dunleavy, who was monitoring traffic while parked on Main Street.

As Mr. Charlton drove up to the cruiser, Officer Dunleavy ran the vehicle’s registration through the computer, and learned Mr. Charlton’s license had been suspended for a previous drunken driving charge, police said.

After their brief conversation, Mr. Charlton drove off, but Officer Dunleavy stopped the vehicle a short distance away and asked Mr. Charlton if he knew why he was being stopped. Police said Mr. Charlton replied, “Because I am suspended.”

While he was speaking with Mr. Charlton, Officer Dunleavy noticed a strong odor of alcohol on his breath, as well as Mr. Chalrton’s bloodshot and glassy eyes, police said.

Mr. Charlton got escorted to the Douglas Police Station after being arrested for allegedly driving drunk, driving after his license was suspended, subsequent offense; and driving after his license was suspended for drunk driving. At the station he consented to a breath test, where, police said, he registered a .25, about three times the legal limit.

Mr. Charlton is being held on $2,500 cash bail and will be arraigned in Uxbridge District Court today.